Source: Maurice Edu set to move to MLS

Stoke City midfielder Maurice Edu has agreed to terms with MLS, paving the way for him to join the Philadelphia Union, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told ESPNFC.com.

U.S. international Maurice Edu is set to move to the Philadelphia Union.

According to the source, all that remains is for Stoke City, Edu, and MLS to sign the relevant documents in order for the U.S. international to return to the league where he started his professional career. Goal.com was the first to report the news.

The source declined to name a specific salary figure, but the person stated that Edu would make in the "mid six figures", a considerable reduction from the $1.5 million that Edu's representatives were initially seeking. That hefty demand had at one point threatened to scuttle the deal, but the two sides were eventually able to agree to terms.

The move comes at a critical point in Edu's career. The U.S. international has been unable to crack the Stoke City lineup ever since joining the Potters in 2012. He spent part of last season on loan to Turkish side Bursaspor, but was unable to translate his playing time there into more opportunities with Stoke.

During this period, Edu has seen his playing time with the U.S. national team dwindle. After making 11 appearances with the U.S. in 2012, Edu played in just three matches in 2013, with just one start. Now he finds himself in a desperate chase to earn one of the final spots on the World Cup roster.

Edu is just the latest U.S. international to return to MLS in the last year, a group that includes defender Clarence Goodson, midfielder/forward Clint Dempsey, midfielder Michael Bradley, and defender Michael Parkhurst.